By Alyson McNutt English

How does your garden glow? Try out some of our garden lighting ideas, and you’ll be walking in sunshine … even after dark.

  1. Stepping-stone lights
    Engineered to withstand the wear and tear of foot traffic, these glowing stepping stones will safely light your path for up to 12 hours when fully charged. Use them to illuminate walkways and other high-traffic outdoor areas.
    Power source: Solar
    Downside: Making a whole pathway can be pricey.
    Cost: About $50 for a set of two 13-by-13-inch tiles
  2. Mason jar chandelier
    Sturdy, attractive, and homey, a mason jar chandelier is a fun way to light up a outdoor dining table. You can try to go the DIY route, or buy one ready-made at specialty stores and online.
    Power source: Hard-wired to a 120-volt circuit.
    Uses: Hang from an overhead structure, such as a pergola, to light up your outdoor eating area.
    Disadvantages: You’ll need to hire an electrician to hard-wire the fixture into an outdoor structure.
    Cost: To purchase, expect to pay upwards of $75, depending on how many jars are in the chandelier. For DIY projects, a 12-pack of quart-size wide-mouth jars sell for around $20.Having an electrician hard-wire your chandelier into an existing circuit runs $75-$250, depending on the location of the fixture.
  3. Wine bottle Tiki torches
    Tiki torches are a mainstay of retro outdoor parties, but you can modernize the look by up-cycling your empty wine bottles. A conversion kit comes with a wick and a nice copper stand that you stick into the ground, or make your own.
    Power source: Open flame
    Disadvantages: Putting together a wine-bottle torch takes some skill and time. Plus, there’s always a bit of added risk with open flames at parties.
    Cost: Wine-bottle torch conversion kit: $38. DIY supplies: About $8.
  4. Illuminated planters
    You’ll be the talk of the neighborhood if you add a couple of glowing planters to your deckor patio. Made in the U.S.A. of 100% recyclable materials and lit with low-wattage CFL and LED lights, illuminated planters are both stylish and sustainable.
    Power source: low-voltage (12V) wiring; solar-power
    Disadvantages: The price.
    Cost: A 20-by-23-inch planter is $150-$200. Move up to the solar-powered, 42-by-48-inch planter and you’ll shell out $920.
  5. Lanterns and candles
    Lanterns and candles are a classic choice for garden lighting, but you don’t have to use a real open flame.

    • Solar-powered lanterns can simply be hung out in bright sunlight and they’ll light up your night. $20.
    • Lantern strings can be found at most big-box stores in many styles. They can be low-voltage (12V) or use regular household current (120V). A set of five 3-inch-diameter lanterns is $10.
    • Flameless LED candles (powered by batteries) are a good choice for families or those with pets who still want the “candle-lit lantern” feel.

Share your favorite outdoor lighting tip in the comments below.

Alyson McNutt English writes regularly about home improvement, decorating, and “green home” tips; her work has appeared in magazines like Pregnancy, Kiwi, and Parenting and on many websites, including BobVila.com and HGTV.com.